When the King James translators translated the name of God (JEHOVAH), they capitalized Lord so that we would know that this word was God's name, Jehovah. Which is why many times you will see, Lord as LORD.

My Shepherd is Your Shepherd
Jesus is God. When Isaiah prophesied in chapter 9, he said that the Son to be born would be called The Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6). Doubting Thomas, when he saw the Lord Jesus at last after he arose from the dead, said to Jesus, "My Lord, and my God." (John 20:28)

Whenever I do my morning devotions, I usually will read 3 chapters. One chapter from the old testament, and two chapters from the new testament. This morning, I just happened to be reading in the book of Numbers, and in the book of Mark, just following my daily routine.

As I was reading Numbers chapter 27, I came across these verses:

"And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,
Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd."

So I continued reading. And then I got to Mark chapter 6 verse 34, which said:

"And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things."

Friend, my shepherd, Jesus, is also your shepherd. As believers, we have a great Shepherd of the sheep who cares for us. We can rest assured that our care comes not from these hands, which, though, yes, they do minister to our basic necessities, but it is our Heavenly Shepherd who gives us the strength to get gain. It is he who prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies.

I once had a dream about 3 years ago when I was going through a divorce. My wife had just left, and I was in the depths of despair. So much so, that I thought death would have been much better. Nothing can compare to a divorce, except the death of a loved one.

In my dream, I dreamed that I was at church, and all these friendly people were welcoming me, and they were all smiling. As they greeted me, there was a table in front of me. Some would greet me and lay some food down on the table in front of me. Most of the food was so delicious to just look at. Many people brought me so much food that the table could hardly hold it. I then looked up to heaven and said, "My cup runneth over."

It was a dream God had given to me to comfort me in my despair. And it was not just a dream. The dream came true. Over the past 3 years, in times when I was completely alone, without friend, and without a family member, God would prepare a table before me. A church member would invite me over to their house for dinner. Many times this has happened.

Friend, Jesus loves you. Whatever you are going through, he knows all about it. Just as the song says, "Jesus knows all about our troubles, he will guide 'till the day is done. There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one, no not one."

Our Shepherd Loves Us
The Bible says that two sparrows are sold for two farthings, and not one of them shall fall on the ground without our Father knowing about it. If God cares for the fowls of the air, how much more does he care for us? Some people think that just because they can't see God, or hear his voice, then that means he must not exist. But this just isn't so.

Our God is not like us. He speaks to us when he chooses. And that is usually all the time. We're just not choosing to listen to him. If we would just read his word, or at least, listen to it (www.audio-bible.com), we could hear him very clearly.

For instance, when God said in the Bible, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end," (Jeremiah chapter 29), he meant that to be for you and for me. He meant it to be for them who trust in him. So how can we expect to hear God speak from heaven, when his voice is small and still, and contained in the scriptures? Granted, one day, we all will hear his voice audibly when we stand before him in the judgment, but in the here and now, we must listen to him through his word.

Are we weak and heavy laden? Cumbered with a load of care? We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer. We can find our solace there.

I don't think we realize how powerful and loving our God really is. I mean, have you ever prayed for something that you thought was silly? Maybe you prayed for God to do something that was downright strange, and impossible. But have you forgotten that Jesus said, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth?" - Mark 9:23.

The truth is, it may seem silly to us, but to God, its a little matter. He made the world in 6 days, do you honestly think that anything is too hard for God?

We have a Shepherd who loves us. He loved us so much, that he layed down his life for us. For a righteous man, some would even dare to die, but God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Notice the scripture says, FOR US. That's you, and that's me. Us is a word used to describe those which have believed in the Lord Jesus for forgiveness. Brother, sister, you need not to fear. He loves you like you love your own children. It's not a lazy type of love toward some stranger. It is a powerful, heart felt, emotional love that is directed toward his sons and daughters. There is a rest for the people of God.

Whatever you're going through, sickness, disease, death, divorce, don't you know that none of these things can separate us from the LOVE of God? That means, no matter what, his love for us will see us through these things.

"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that LOVED US." - Romans 8:37

Dear believer, rest assured that your God will come for you. He will save you from all your distress. He will deliver you out of all your afflictions (Psalms 34:19). It is his will. He is willing!

Our Shepherd loves you. Our Shepherd loves us.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30